Finland: Valio announces lactose-free ice cream range

Finnish dairy firm Valio has announced that it is re-entering the ice cream market after a gap of 10 years with a new line of lactose-free products.

Produced at Valio’s Oulu dairy in northern Finland, and available in stores from this March, the line is promoted as a new alternative within the super premium ice cream segment and comes in six flavour combinations: crazy caramel with a hint of salt, fresh strawberry-basil, very Finnish blueberry-rye, juicy carrot cake, smooth macchiato-chocolate, and kick-it-up salty liquorish-chilli.

Valio said the new line was the only lactose-free Finnish ice cream available in the market and featured popular Nordic flavours.

Commenting on the move, Valio senior vice president Jussi Mattsson said: “Valio has long history as an ice cream producer, and we know what the Finns like when it comes to ice cream. We want to offer ice cream lovers something new and delicious and that many people can enjoy. That’s why Valio Ice Cream is always lactose free and features unique flavour combinations”.

In a statement, the company also announced that it would be launching the line in Russia, with debuts planned later in the spring for Moscow and St. Petersburg.